LI man busted on animal cruelty charges for 2nd time in weeks after failing to get treatment for dog struck by car: DA

A Long Island man was charged with animal cruelty for the second time in a month – after he allegedly failed to get proper medical care for his badly battered Kangal Shepherd puppy, who was struck by a car, prosecutors said. 

Munim Raghid, 26, of Ronkonkoma, was first nabbed on an animal cruelty charge in December for allegedly starving one of his dogs until it became emaciated, according to the Suffolk County DA’s office. 

During Raghid’s arraignment in that case, Judge Evan Zuckerman ordered him not to own any other animals as his case proceeds in court. 

But Raghid didn’t comply – and allegedly kept three more Kangal Shepherds – including one found on the road seriously hurt and unable to walk just steps from his home on New Year’s Eve, prosecutors said. 

A Good Samaritan picked up the helpless pooch — who had apparently been hit by a car — wrapped it in a blanket, and raced it to Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists, authorities said. 

The young Kangal Shepherd was found to have a fractured pelvis and back legs, the DA’s office said. 

Meanwhile, the neighbor who likely saved the pup’s life went knocking on doors in hopes of finding the owner. 

When Raghid learned his dog was at the animal hospital, he raced there and took the mangled pup back home – against medical advice, prosecutors said. 

Members of the District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST) executed a search warrant at Raghid’s home on New Year’s Day and found three dogs, including the injured pup, authorities said. 

Raghid was arrested and charged with one count of animal cruelty for allegedly allowing the puppy to suffer without adequate veterinary care; and one count of second-degree criminal contempt, for allegedly keeping the dogs against the judge’s order.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday. 

“I created my BEAST investigative team for a reason,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in a statement. “We will pursue every act of animal cruelty reported to us and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”

The wounded puppy – and a second pup found in the home – are now up for adoption through the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter. 

But the battered one must first undergo extensive surgery, the DA’s office said.